Arab-Islamic summit: Saudi Crown Prince calls for immediate end to Gaza siege, condemns Israeli aggression
Riyadh: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, has urged an end to the siege on Gaza, emphasising the imperative for peace and stability in the region.
He advocated for the establishment of an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital during the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh.
Strongly condemning the ongoing Israeli aggression and forced displacement in Gaza, the Saudi Crown Prince held the occupation authorities solely responsible for crimes against the Palestinian people.
He emphasised the urgent need for a collective effort to provide humanitarian and relief aid to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Criticizing the Security Council and the international community for their failure to address Israeli violations, Mohammed bin Salman accused them of displaying double standards.
The Crown Prince reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to ending the war in Gaza, citing strenuous efforts to coordinate a cessation of military operations, and called for the immediate release of hostages while emphasizing the importance of preserving lives.
Qatar Emir decries bombing of hospitals
Meanwhile, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has also voiced deep concern over the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza, decrying the open bombing of hospitals in the twenty-first century.
Speaking during the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit, Sheikh Tamim challenged the international community's stance on Israel, questioning how long it would continue treating Israel as if it were above international law.
"Who would have imagined that hospitals would be openly bombed in the twenty-first century?" Emir Tamim asked, expressing dismay at the high immunity some countries seem to have when it comes to civilian casualties and attacks on medical facilities.
He called for the permanent opening of safe humanitarian crossings for aid delivery to Gaza, unimpeded by obstacles or conditions. He expressed hope for a humanitarian ceasefire soon, highlighting Qatar's commitment to supporting diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation, halt the bloodshed, and protect innocent civilians.
Emir Tamim strongly condemned the targeting of health facilities and called for an international investigation into the bombing of hospitals, emphasising that condemnation and denial alone are insufficient. He urged the United Nations to establish an international investigation team to examine the attacks on medical facilities.
Addressing the international community, Emir Tamim questioned how long Israel would be allowed to violate international laws with its relentless war on the indigenous Palestinian population.
He stressed that the only viable solution lies in establishing peace by international resolutions, while Israel continues to disregard the rights of the Palestinian people and focuses solely on security arrangements.